Briquet-machine.



E. PERNHOLTZ. BRIQUET MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.27,1906.

Patented Mar.22, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ZUz-'/zeazre.; A 15106115014 E. FERNHOLTZ.

BRIQUET MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 27, 1906.

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

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B. PERNHOLTZ.

BRIQUET MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 27. 1906.

I@ m/ E E. FERNHOLTZ.

BRIQUET MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED Dnq.2'1,19oa.

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Efmzaffmaz UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE. f

'EMIL FRRNHOLTZ, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNOR To THE. NATIONAL 1IIRIoUETTINel AND CLAY WORKING MACHINEBY COMPANY, or rHOENIx, ARIZONA TERRITORY, A CORPORATION OI- AzaIzONA TERRITORY.

BRIQUET-MACHINE. y

l Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 22, 1910.

Application led December 27, 1906. Serial No. 349,729.

Y lTO all 'whoml 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL FERNHOLTZ, ay

citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Briquet-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a briquet machine of few and simple parts, by means of which loose, non-plastic material, as coal, peat, lamp-black', sawdust, and various other forms of carbonaceous and Vegetable materia may be formed by a continuous and uninterrupted process, into compact lcondition in suitable shapes and sizes for use as fuel in stoves fireplaces and furnaces, and for generai purposes.

I regard this invention as pioneer in that y lace in a passage-I` way. that is continuous y open ,to the end the compression takes of the machine at the discharge-end, and such compression is effected by lthe a plication of tremendous force concentrate from i ponderous fiy-wheel means upon a small cross-sectional area of the material to be compressed, through'a hi h-speed horizontal hammer of great pon erosity terminating in a single centrally-arranged plunger or ram that reciprocates in such passageway to strike rapid and tremendous blows upon successive charges of uncompressed material which are thereby driven against previously-compressed charges of material, the passageway being of such form as to friction-ally resist the movement therethrough of, the material after it has been compressed, ,but to allow 'the compressed material to be driven onward at each stroke; the principleA being that the tremendous power applied is transformed into high heat under great pressure in the material being compressed, lthereby producing a physical change in such material.

The invention includes the machine and its combinations and parts as will more fully appear vfrom the subjoined detailed description.

The invention may be embodiedpin various forms, and I do not limit the same to anyA specific form, but shall illustrate the same .herein in the form at present deemed most desirable.

The bore of the open-ended matrix, or

mold in which the compression takes place, is preferably tapering throughout a portion of its way, but may b e straight throughout in some forms of machine embodying parts of my invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of abriquet machine embodying my invention in one of its forms. Fig. 2 is a yfragmental longitudinal mid-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan omitting the feed-hopper. Fi 4 is a fragmental plan sectionon line as, hg. 2. Fig. 5 is a detached side view of the mold and feed-box with a fragment of the plunger in place. Fig.. 6 is a cross-section on line w-, Figs. 5 and. 7, showing also fragments of the base and cap. plan of the bottom half of the mold, detached. Fig. 8 is aA projection of the right end of Fig. 7, showing an elevation of the end of the mold 'that fits the feed-box. Fi 9 is a perspective of the bottom of the mold, together with box. Fig. 10 is an elevation of the mold head or feed box.

1 is a base composed of two sections, and 3, and secured together by means of bolts 4: and nuts 5. The forward, upper ends of said sections 2 and 3 are recessed, as seen at 6, the recess terminating at the forward end in a shoulder 7. Fitting into sald recess 6 is a mold 8 whose forward end is shouldered as seen at 9, the mold proper extending forwardly of said shoulder for a portion of its'length, as seen at l0. The shoulder 9 engages and bears against the shoulder 7 `of the casting or sections 2 and4 3, and takes up whatever force there may be from the opposite end of the mold. The other portion l11 of the mold fits intoa recess 12 provided in the cap 13, which cap secures the two halves of the mold together. This cap is held in place by stud bolts 14 extending through the cap and into the base of the machine. The mold'has a bore 15 which in the form shown, is graduall convergent toward the discharge end t ereof throughout an intermediate portion of its length; the degree of convergence being determined and calculated by the amount of compression desired. The head or feed box Fig. 7 is a los l of themold comprises a U-shaped member semicylindrical an 18 in any desirable manner. The U-shaped member 16 has as ace 20 whose bottom is of the mold,-are rovided with rearwardly-v extending gradual y-increasing ports or air ducts 23 which communicate with the interior of the mold, extend rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the material within the mold during the period of compression, and open -into outlet channels a that lead to .fthe open air. These ducts or ports are provided primarily to allow the excessive compressed air to escape from the .body of the briquets as the compression proceeds. By reason of the rearward slant shown, the tendency of the progressing compressed material is to keep clear the inlets to said opening. The stroke of the plunger is preferably short, and travels over av space equal, or approximately equal, to

double the length o the space .20 formed-in the head 16 of the mold. U on the forward stroke of the plunger 22, t e'material descending from the hopper into the space 20 is compressed and forced into the ore o the mold, and after a compact mass has been formed throughout such bore, the friction between such mass and the walls of the bore causes such resistance at the intake end that a high compression of the mass at such end takes place, and as the work progresses, the

density of the mass becomes greater as vit advances toward final discharge from frictional contact. The degree of such comression will depend uponthe length and orm of the bore. It is heightened by the choke bore construction shown, without making the bore of inordinate length.

The power applying apparatus maybe of any suitable construction: by making the same ponderous andpowerful and operating it at high s eed, each charge will be subjected to a orceful blow, as it is rammed into the mold, thus condensing the same at the outset before/the impulse isex'pended in moving forward the previous charges. The cross-.head 24 therefore is constructed of a massive solid block of metal and constitutes 'a horizontal hammer of great ponderosity provided forwardly and substantially centrally thereof with a socket 22,to receive the plunger or ram 22 which is held therein by a bolt or set-screw 25, so that the same may be replaced by a new one when necessary. By constructing the compression means of massive heavy solid material, and

in a `line continuousv with the bore 15 of the lower portion 8 of' 2, 3" of the base and extending across cut away portions 26 of the casting ory base 1, and arranged to engage the grooves 24 provided in the cross-head 24, whereby the cross-head is guided in its reciprocatory movement, and its level aswell as that of the plunger steadily maintained. By recess-v ing the upper portions of the two halves of the base as shown at 26 room for the'ponderous cross head 24 to move on the guide rods 26 is provided. The pitman 29 is pivotally secured in said cross-head at one end and to the crank shaft 30 at the other end.

On said shaft 30 are mounted the gear wheels 31- with which the pinions 32 mounted on shaft 33 mesh and impart motion to said large gears 31 by the drive pulley 34 connected with any source of power.

35 are fly-wheels provided to increase theI momentum of the driving pinions 32.

The `operation of forming condensed charges will rapidly proceed until the first amount of material forced into the bore'is ejected at the extremity of the -bore by reason of the continued operation of the feed and plunger. The intake end'27 of the mold' so that each return stroke of the plunger tends to produce Va vacuum in jthe imperforate intake end ofthe bore and pressure of the atmospheric air will force material from the hopper to ll the vacated space as soon as the end of the plunger escapes from the bore. The compression-of the material lin the manner described causes a' high com-v pression 'of the atmospheric air contained in the charges and it 1s necessary that the briquets be forcibly held in shape a suiicient length of time to allow the internal strain on 'the charges to be relieved by the escape of such air. To prevent the vents along the bore from being clogged, the same are widened'v and directed rearwardly and outwardly as shown.

In practical operation the pressure of the plunger .on the material being compressed 1s so great that the rear end of each compressed charge becomes polished or lhardened to suchv an extent that the succeedin4 charge will not strongl adhere` thereto, an

consequently the -pro uct is formed with transverse planes of cleavage, andwill readily separate into briquets, each containing,

one charge and forming a solid homogeneous and har body.

eter throughout the imperforate intake portion 27, and of diminishing diameter throughout the greater part of the perforate portionl 28, as indicated between the 4lines a, b, in Fig. 7, and from'the line b the outlet,

is of uniform diameter. `The end of the plunger 22 is of uniform diameter with the intake portion 27 and snugly fits the same, as indicated in Fig. 4. The o ening 2l in the head or feed box of the mol corresponds in cross-section to the plunger and the intake end of the bore, and the plunger is reciprocated through said opening and into the uniform portion of the bore, the length of stroke being sutlicient to carry the end of the plunger into the intake portion of the bore a considerable/distance and out into the opening of the feed-box suiiciently far to allow the required charge to fill the space between the plunger and the preceding com-l pressed charge. In practical operation the movement of the charges through the bore.

toward the discharge end, tends to keep the inner ends of the openings 23 free, thus allowing the compressed air and expressed water to find egress at such openings. Any

f particles' that may enter such openings will pass on without clogging the mold on account of theflaring shape of said openings. I have used the machine herein described for making briquets of various materials` among which may be mentioned peat, coal and lamp-black, some of which material con-- tained as high as thirty per cent. of water when fed to the machine. It is deemed advisable to feed the material in as dry a condition as may be convenient.

' It is 4found in actual practice that the power when thus applied 1s effective to produce from lignite, lamp-black or peat a briquet resembling bituminous coal in hardness, density and color.. The briquets thus made from dark-brown lignite pressed without a binder and with about 17% moisture, are black in color and have a` thermal value equal to the' best bituminous coal. The briquets come out of the mold in a hot condition .and a considerable portion of the 'moisture quickly evaporates. The briquets thus made are polished and externally free from grimeor dirt and burn with about the same amount` of smoke as wood.

fl-iat I claim is:

- 1. A briquet machine comprising a base `composed of two parts divided on a vertical longitudinal line, there being a mold-recess in the forward upper part' of the base, the same extending across said .line and there being cut-away portions behind the f moldrecess; a mold in the mold-recess, said mold being separable on a horizontal longitudinal line; guide-rods-extending across the cut-awa portions of the base; a cross-head mountec upon the guide-rods, and a pluner carried by the cross-head and operating in the mold.

2. A briquet machine comprising a base composed of halves whose upperportions are recessed for a part of their length and means for securing said halves together, a mold fitting the recess in said base and composed of sections separable longitudinally and from said base, said mold being provided with a bore tapering toward the discharge end of the same and having lateral vents which extend rearwardly at a gradually increasing depth with respect to the forward movement of the compressed charge, one section of 4said mold having formed integral therewith a' feed-box communicating with the bore of said mold and forming a U-shaped support having rectangular extensions, a hopper mounted onv said extensions and communicating with said toward the forward extremity of the same, i

one section ofA said mold having provided forwardly 'thereof a U-shaped feed-box terminating in rectangular extensions, a hopper carriedu b said extensions and communicating with said feed-box, a cap recessed interiorly and arranged to engage the shoulders of said mold, means for securing said cap to said base,a plunger operating in the bore of said' mold, means for operating said plunger comprisin a solid crossh'e'ad having a socket, said p unger engaging said socket, means for securing said plunger in said socket, apitman connected at one end with said cross-head and at the other end with a crank shaft, means for maintaining the level of said cross-head, and means for imparting motion to said crank shaft.

4. A briquet machine comprising a base composed of two sections joined to ether and provided in the upper portion t ereof with a recess, a mold having shoulders and consisting of two sections fitting said recess, said mold having a bore tapering gradually toward the forward extremity of the same, one section of said mold having provided forwardly thereof a U-shaped feed-box terminating in rectangular extensions, a hopper carried by said extensions and communicating 'with said feed-box, a cap recessed interiorly and arranged to engage the shoulders of said mold, means for securing said cap to said base a plunger operating in the bore of said mol ,means for operating said plunger comprising a slotted cross-head, guides sea crank shaft, connections between said crankshaft and said cross-head, and .geared means for operating said crank shaft'.

"5. 'A briquet machine comprising a base formed in two parts separable on a vertical longitudinal line and having a mold-recess in the upper forward vpart and having cutaway portions behind the-. recess, guide-rods extending across the cutfaway portions; a mold in the mold-recess said mold5 being separable on a horizonta longitudinal line and havin a bore tapering toward the discharge en and provldedwith lateral1yre ceding gradually-dee ening vents along the line of separation, t e lower half of said mold having an integral feed-box communicating with the bore ofthe mold yand forming a support, a hopper von said support and discharging into the feed-box, a cross-head upon said guide-rods a'nd a plunger carriedby the cross-head and operating in the mold.

6. A briquet machine. comprising, a base formed in two partsseparable von a vertical longitudinal line and having amold-recess in its` upper forward part and having cutf away portions behind the recess; a mold in the mold-recess said mold beingse arable on a horizontal longitudinal line andlli vents along the line of se aration, and sai mold being provided lwit an offset, there being a corresponding offset inthe mold-recess, the offset of the mold engaging the oiset of the recess to hold the mold in place, and said mold being provided with a bore extending centrally therethrough and tapering toward the discharge end; a feed-boxv formed integral with the lower half of the mold and communicating with the bore and v forming a support' a hopper on the support and discharging sito the feed-box; guiderods extending across the. cut-away portions y of the base, a cross-head 'mounted to slide upon the guide-rods, and a-plunger carried by the cross-head and operating Ain the mold. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles California this 21st day of December 1906.

EMIL In presence of- J AMES R. TowNsaNn, TILLIE E. ADAM.v

avin l FERNHoL'rZ. p 

